Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chaired a high-level meeting with a delegation of the International Fund for Agricultural Development led by Ms. Fernanda Thomaz Da Rocha, Country Director (Asia), along with Country Programme Coordinator Ghulam Nabi Marri, to discuss expanding cooperation for sustainable agricultural development and rural transformation in Pakistan.
The Federal Minister underscored that Pakistan highly values its longstanding partnership with IFAD, which began in 1979 and has matured into a strong and impactful development collaboration. He acknowledged the organization’s significant contribution in reaching a wide spectrum of rural populations through targeted interventions aimed at poverty reduction and livelihood enhancement across various regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan and the coastal belt of Sindh, particularly Sajawal, Badin, and Thatta.
Referring to his recent visit to Rome, the Minister described his engagements with IFAD leadership as highly productive and outcome-oriented. He emphasized the need to further expand IFAD’s financial and technical support to Pakistan in order to address pressing challenges in the agriculture sector, particularly those arising from climate change, resource constraints, and the need for modernization. He expressed the government’s interest in initiating new projects focused on rural economic activity, value chain development, and the adoption of innovative agricultural practices.
The Minister acknowledged that International Fund for Agricultural Development places strong emphasis on empowering smallholder farmers, promoting employment opportunities for rural youth, and strengthening resilience against climate shocks. He noted that IFAD’s development approach, based on concessional financing and community-driven models, is well aligned with Pakistan’s priorities and offers a strong foundation for achieving inclusive and sustainable rural development.
Ms. Fernanda Thomaz Da Rocha reaffirmed that Pakistan remains one of IFAD’s most important partners and a key focus of its global portfolio. She noted that the organization is currently supporting multiple projects in Pakistan and continues to provide financing to the government for development initiatives. She emphasized that IFAD’s engagement is centered on improving farmers’ productivity, strengthening market linkages, creating opportunities for rural youth, and enhancing the resilience of rural communities.
Country Programme Coordinator Ghulam Nabi Marri briefed the meeting on the progress of ongoing programmes, including the National Poverty Graduation Programme, highlighting their extensive outreach and tangible impact at the grassroots level. He emphasized the importance of sustaining and scaling up these interventions through enhanced collaboration, innovative approaches, and continued financial support.
The Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council also participated in the meeting and proposed strengthened collaboration with IFAD under the framework of a Centre of Excellence. He stressed the importance of joint efforts in agricultural research, innovation, and capacity building to enhance productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to further strengthen the partnership between Pakistan and IFAD by expanding ongoing initiatives and exploring new avenues of cooperation aimed at achieving sustainable agricultural growth, food security, and long-term rural prosperity across the country.
